So come on then, how have the new boys done so far? Grade them from A-F based on what you've seen so far.

Lowton - A definite improvement on Hutton, but still a little bit inconsistent. Can be a bit sloppy in possession, but likes to get forward and also in the main defends solidly. C+

Bennett - Similar to Lowton in many respects, but not seen as much of him. May well need a bit more time to settle but i think he has all the attributes to be a top player. C-

Vlaar - Committed, powerful, a leader, talks a good game.... but I've got to say I've not be overly impressed. The defence has been weak, we've let in some fairly sloppy goals, and Vlaar as the only constant has to take his fair share of the responsibilty. An improvement on Dunne and Collins? Sure. The attitude alone ensures that. The next Martin Laursen? I just can't see it myself. C-

El Ahmadi - Started the season well and you could see what he was brought for. Sit, protect the back 4 and allow the guys in front of you to play. Recently though he's gone massively off the boil in my opinion. I can recall 2 games where he has been a complete passenger, just not getting involved at all. I didn't know he was playing in one game until 60 minutes in, he was so anonymous. Needs to step it up a gear and start to stamp his authority on games. Certainly a step down from Petrov. D

Holman - Tonnes and tonnes of endeavour. You can't but help like a guy who gives 110% every game. Question marks about the quality, but if he keeps giving his all he'll be a real fan favourite. When you put him next to N'Zogbia, there's just no choice to be made. B+

Benteke - Big like Heskey, Black like Heskey, misses sitter after sitter like Heskey. The biggest disappointment of the bunch for me so far. Not writing him off, it could be a phase and suddenly they might all start flying in, but on what I've seen so far I have no choice but to give him a very disappointing D-

I think those are fair assessments. I have sympathy for Benteke though. He is young, in a new country with a completely new set of surroundings and style of football. He hasn't hidden and has been in the position to miss his chances. The problem that both Lambert and Benteke have, is that we have one of the best goalscorers in the country in the squad and if Benteke plays and misses chances whilst Bent is on the bench, questions will be asked. Ultimately his all round game is more suited to Lamberts phillosophy, but goals win games and he has to deliver, young or not.

I think everyone deserves more time... Lambert will get it right. Benteke will hopefully settle, and then unlike Heskey, will actually be in the position to score goals rather than sloping near the half way line!!

Would say Lowton will turn out to be a gem has all the makings needs the experiance. My problem with the Bentke - Bent argument is I know the lad has missed a few, but the chances do fall to him where Bent does not seem to get the chances is that down to good play by Bentke in getting the positions or is Bent a capable goal scorer just marked tighter. anyway would go with most of your assesments Deano.

Agreed thorpy. He gets in the right positions despite the meagre amount of chances we create. Heskey was ten years older than benteke when we bought him and had never scored much! He needs time but looks promising I think. The fact that he gets into the excellent Belgium team speaks for his quality.

I am getting very tired of the "He's just like Heskey, because he's missed s few chances and he's black. I find the black references very distasteful. Benteke is a young lad, who is adjusting to a new club, and country. He puts himself about and he is getting chances. He precious record for club and country suggests that he will start putting the chances away. The amount of times I have read, Benteke missed, Bent would have scored that. Bent wouldn't have scored because he would probably been standing around sulking with his hands in his pockets. I would much prefer Benteke to be compared with Savo than Heskey. He is the same age as when we signed Savo, he is new to the country, like Savo, he's powerful like Savo, and he's missed a few chances like Savo. The crowd got on his back too, he left us for £3m, and two years later was sold on for £18m, and he went on to have a great career. Let's support the lad, not get on his back. I would play him today, and leave the waste of space Bent on the bench. No more Heskey references please.